bit-of-a-witch - Tumblr blog

[bit-of-a-witch]

hello all, as evident i have been very very inactive for a while. I had a lot of upsetting events occur one after another and havent had the opportunity to get on my tumblr for a while

to anyone who was wanting a tarot reading; i unfortunately am currently unable to do so as my deck is currently in a box that im not sure where it is

anyway, enjoy the rest of your day, blessed be =]

[bit-of-a-witch]

Tips for Witchcraft in the Dorm

If you're in a situation where you have a roommate that may not be open to your craft, you're in the broom closet and being in college makes it even harder to practice, you're starting your witch journey while in college, you couldn't take a full sized altar to school, or you're like me and attend a private Christian college (ugh) that makes you feel the need to be discreet, this post is for you!

If you have an altar: Find a way to downsize your altar. For some this isn't a huge thing, but I'm the kind of gal that liked to go all out with my space. The best way to do it is to find a box or container that can be moved easily and has all your essentials, and only take what can fit. If you can't fit certain tools, it's best to find substitutions. A small bowl that can hold water will work just as well as a crystal ball. Putting herbs in bags will allow more room than jars.

Alternative to candle magic: I know the urge to put tape over that fire alarm is real but I'm unfortunately a goody two shoes. Luckily wax burners exist and you can get all the fun of candle magic minus the flame. I like to draw sigils into my wax before melting it for spellwork; and you can get all sorts of different colored wax. If you need unscented wax, you can buy white wax and dye it.

Some discreet types of magic to look into:

Tea. Tea. Tea. I cannot stress how useful tea magic is. There's loads of information about it right here on Tumblr! Most dorms allow ectric teapots and tea is easy to store.

Knot magic. Here's a great post about it. Absolutely any kind of spell can be done with a knot and it's super easy to implement into everyday activities.

Moon magic. Guys, the moon is awesome. Work with it. Moon water is a great manifestation tool and corresponding anything with the moon phases is an instant boost. It's also free and super easy.

Sigils. Really fun to learn and really easy to draw in a couple journals, on a foggy window, in your tea as you stir it, or on your skin. I recommend Pinterest if you're trying to find tutorials.

Runes. I like to cast physical runes but there's lots of ways to use these in everyday magic. Each symbol has their own meaning and there's an abundance of information on them. Similar to sigils, I like to draw them on things.

Extra tips:

Learn the correspondences for each day of the week. Doing little things for each day will keep you connected to your craft as you get through college.

Anything can be a challace. Cleanse that cup and you're good to go.

Astrology is your friend.

I'm here for you. College is hard. Dorming can be a pain too.

I hope this helps someone. Reblog if you can. Love you all!

[bit-of-a-witch]

would anyone be inclined to share their experience working with anubis? im looking into trying to work with him and was wondering about others experiences

[bit-of-a-witch]

guess who no longer actually works with any deities and is now considering learning about saints--

[bit-of-a-witch]

just found my dream set of Persephone prayer beads!!! they’re really pretty and more affordable than most other sets of prayer beads, and they really remind me of her!

[bit-of-a-witch]

would someone be really nice and buy me a set of prayer beads so i can feel like im doing my deities justice when i pray? /hj

[bit-of-a-witch]

a little piece i made with wombo for Persephone today :]

she seems to like it, so that’s good haha

[bit-of-a-witch]

me: *sobbing because i feel worthless and like no one loves me* Hades: they’re not okay, are they? Persephone: clearly not. go on, talk to them

*the room fills with awkward slightly uncomfortable energy*

Persephone: i’ll do it myself then. hey, its okay. we care about you, and you aren’t at all worthless. you’re going to be okay

*my mom comes in and sees me crying and comforts me and such*

[bit-of-a-witch]

readings are once again open!!! please see pinned post for more information!!!

have a great day!

[bit-of-a-witch]

i keep seeing things that’re like “oh, your relationship with your deities is a work relationship, you’ll probably give more than you get” while im sitting in my room just vibing with my deities as they tell me random things and beg me to look at their tags on tumblr.

is this just me or nah-?

[bit-of-a-witch]

so Apollo, Aphrodite, and Loki have been bugging me tons lately, and wanted me to dedicate some stuff to them so they can hang out properly. i already had a stuffed animal dedicated to Aphrodite as a security thing, so i dedicated a blanket to Loki, and for the time being, Apollo has a yellow sticky note until i can find something better lol

you gotta love your deities haha

[bit-of-a-witch]

i had a very lovely conversation with a friend about spirits earlier this morning. i also had a pleasant conversation about witchcraft, paganism, and the fae slightly after. 

who knew id be talking so much about my special interests today :]

[bit-of-a-witch]

im currently researching houseplants in both general and witchy ways, and just randomly had an urge to go on tumblr, and guess why?

genuinely, guess-

[bit-of-a-witch]

What is Paganism?

The term Paganism has been evolving for almost two millennia, so there is understandable confusion about what Paganism means. It has always been an umbrella term that includes within it many different faiths and practices. In this post, we are going to talk about what Paganism is (and isn’t) and explore some of the most important branches of modern Paganism (also known as Neopaganism).

Origins of the Term Paganism

The term Paganism was coined in the fourth century by Christians living in the Roman Empire for anyone who did not follow Christianity or Judaism. It comes from the Latin word paganus, which means country dweller. The implication was that these were “country bumpkins” stuck in old ways and not yet “wise” to the modern religion of Christianity. The Roman Empire officially converted to Christianity in 313 CE.

In the Middle Ages, while Islam was also viewed as a non-Pagan religion, the term Paganism continued to be used to refer to anyone who did not follow a religion based on a biblical god. It carried the derogatory connotation that Pagans worship false gods and are barbarians.

But in the 20th century, the term Paganism was reclaimed by various groups that follow religious beliefs or practices associated with pre-Christian religions. The group includes polytheists that continue to worship non-biblical pantheons, animists, magical practitioners, nature worshippers, and more.

The term Neopaganism is often used to distinguish these modern Pagans from our ancestors, who would have never referred to themselves as Pagans. Christians created the term Pagan to create “us” (biblical religions) and “them” (non-biblical religions) categories. This would not have been meaningful to our pre-Christian ancestors or to Norse warriors and Egyptian priests for whom Christianity was just one more religion.

It is worth noting that while Medieval Christians would have referred to religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism as Pagan, they aren’t included in the modern definition. These organized religions, which are dominant in many countries, fall into a class of their own.

Definition of Neopaganism

It is difficult to define Neopaganism because so many different people today identify with the term Paganism. It is possible to identify some characteristics that are common to most Neopagans, but don’t necessarily apply universally.

Pagan religions tend to be non-organized in that they are followed by an individual practitioner or small community rather than being a hierarchical institution like the Catholic church. But there are exceptions; for example, Hermetic orders tend to be small but very hierarchical organizations.

Pagan religions are often polytheistic, either drawing on ancient divine pantheons or following an animistic approach, which recognizes divinity in action within the world without necessarily naming it. Pagans can believe in these gods in a literal sense or as a metaphorical tool for relating to powers that are beyond our comprehension.

Pagans tend to believe that everything is sacred, especially nature, and that we can tap into the spiritual energy of the universe through meditation, invocation, rituals, witchcraft, and various other practices.

In most cases, it is an individualistic path. You choose which deities and beliefs speak to you personally, and you are responsible for creating and following your spiritual path. This very often links to a strong moral code, as you are responsible for your actions and their consequences. Pagans often identify with the idea that you can feed the universe with positive energy or diminish it with negative energy. You attract the kind of energy that you project, and what you receive mirrors what you give.

As we have already said, these characteristics do not hold true for all Pagans, but they are ideas that most Neopagans will identify with.

Branches of Neopaganism

So, if there are various branches of Neopaganism, what are they?

It is impossible to provide a complete and comprehensive list, first because we would be here forever, and second, since it is a personal and individualistic belief system, there is no limit to the number of variations that can exist.

But below, we will look at some of the most popular forms of Paganism that are most widely recognized in the Neopagan community today.

Reconstructionist Religions

Reconstructionist religions attempt to reconstruct ancient religions in the modern world. Pagans of this brand might choose to worship the Greek gods, follow the ritual practices of Egyptian priests, or walk in the footsteps of Druids.

Probably the most well-known reconstruction religion is Norse paganism, also known as Heathenry, which is the belief in the old Norse gods, including Odin, Thor, and Freyja. While exactly how this is done is individualistic, enough people identified with this type of Paganism that Asatru was created in Iceland in the 1970s to provide a common banner under which they could identify as an interest group. It is now recognized around the world.

Magic working is not a necessary part of modern Norse paganism, just as it was not in ancient times when only a few people were Volva (Seidr witches) or runemasters (workers of rune magic). But runic divination is a popular practice in modern Heathenry.

Wicca

Wicca is probably the type of Paganism most represented in pop culture (think The Craft and Charmed). It is a modern witchcraft practice, often but not always associated with the veneration of a great mother goddess and her consort, often but not always portrayed as a horned god. It can be followed by sole practitioners or coven groups led by a high priest or priestess.

Modern Wicca is credited as being founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1930s, and followers of his teachings are known as Gardnerian Wiccans. But today there are many different branches, both formal and informal.

Modern Wicca draws on what is known from historic witchcraft and magic rituals. But it is a thriving and evolving practice in which invention and following your intuition are encouraged.

Non-Wiccan Witchcraft

Not all Pagans who identify themselves as practitioners of witchcraft consider themselves Wiccan. Many follow a more shamanistic or nature-based approach to witchcraft without reference to organized elements such as covens or priests. These, usually sole practitioners, are often referred to as hedge witches.

These practitioners have a lot in common with Wiccans in their use of certain symbols and elements and closely following the cycle of the year and the phases of the moon. Grimoires and Books and Shadows are often used to record knowledge.

Hermeticism

The term Hermeticism originally referred to a religio-philosophical system based on a small number of writings known as Hermetica which gave birth to scientific approaches to magic in the form of practices such as alchemy. But Hermeticism has since become a term for those who engage in “high magic” or ritual magic, usually within a body or organization with specific teaching and hierarchies.

Probably the most famous example of these is the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an organization dedicated to the study of the occult, metaphysical, and paranormal. It is a spin-off of Freemasonry and incorporates the hierarchies and secrecy of that order. There are tests to enter new parts of the order and learn new secrets. For a number of years, the famous occultist Aleister Crowley was associated with the order.

Animism

Animism differs from other types of polytheistic paganism in that it does not necessarily feel the need to name or identify deities. Animism accepts that there is a divine or spiritual force at work in the world and it can be seen in aspects of life. But they can appreciate and be thankful for these forces without anthropomorphizing them into deities.

Animists often believe that the gods of polytheistic religions are cultural constructions designed to help humans better understand and engage with these forces. They may choose to engage with certain traditional polytheistic gods as a way of engaging with the elements of the world they consider most important.

Secular Paganism

Secular paganism could also be called a nature-based religion. Secular pagans do not necessarily believe in certain deities and could be Polytheists, Christians, Atheists, or anything in between. The core belief is that we are part of nature, rather than masters of it, and that we should live our lives with an abiding love and respect for nature.

Secular Paganism often mixes meditative and ritual practices designed to better understand and control the self with a world view based on science.

Eclectic Paganism

Eclectic Paganism is kind of a “catch-all” term for those who don’t fit into other types of Paganism. This is for people who identify with the general principles of Paganism but haven’t tied themselves to a single belief system or set or practices.

For example, they might believe in the mother goddess, but not practice witchcraft. They may feel a deep spiritual connection with the universe, witch manifests in practices such as reading Tarot cards, and cleansing spaces with incense and herbs, but may not necessarily consider these practices linked with any kind of divinity.

Eclectic Pagans often have broad interests in terms of researching different new age practices and approaches. They may also identify with Paganism aesthetically through gothic-style fashion.

Meso-Paganism

Meso-Paganism is a term used for practices that are a result of mixing non-Christian religions with Christianity imposed by conquerors, missionaries, or both. Haitian Voodoo and Candomblé in Brazil are probably the best examples, in which African deities are syncretized with Christian Saints and elements of Christian religion are incorporated into traditional rituals.

While many of the characteristics of Neopaganism apply to Meso-Paganism, followers and practitioners are less likely to identify with the broader Pagan community. These are traditional religions passed down through communities, rather than sought out by individuals. So, while they may not be the dominant religion in a certain place, they have this in common with religions such as Hinduism.

What kind of Pagan are You?

While this whole post has been dedicated to trying to define and categorize Paganism, what it really equates to is following your own spiritual path outside of the biblical context. There are no rules about what you have to believe and practices that you have to engage in. It is all about finding your own spirituality and expressing it in a way that works for you.

But we would still love to know what Paganism means to you! Let us know in the comments section below.

[Full blog post here]

[bit-of-a-witch]

⛤Ways to Celebrate Samhain⛤

In the past it was a tradition to have a bonfire, but since doing so is not accessible to many people, you could instead light a big candle!

A lot of practitioners love cooking and baking fall foods using products they’ve planted and harvested themselves, but if you don’t have a garden or have a hard time keeping your plants alive (trust me, I understand you.) you could buy products that are sold by local farmers and small businesses.

You could also choose to use certain herbs and spices that are almost impossible to kill-Just sprinkle some rosemary on your store bought pumpkin soup if cooking is not what you’re best at, it’s the thought that counts!

You can also invite your friends and family over for a Halloween Party and have a feast with some booze and food! Have some earthy meals and a bunch of Halloween themed candies.

You can also decorate your altar with fall items like pumpkins, acorns or maybe even pinecones…Almost anything works as long as it reminds you of this celebration. 

You can check for correspondences if you’re having a hard time decorating your altar and need an idea or two regarding the arrangements!

After refreshing your altar you could think about giving offerings the deities/spirits you work with or paying respect to your ancestors.

You can also watch Halloween themed films or listen to music and sing/dance.

Remember that this day doesn’t have to be so serious and deep, pay your respects to Samhain and keep having fun!

It’s okay even if you don’t do any special spell or ritual! Just enjoy yourself!

Happy Spooky Season to all!

⛤Isidora & Bleiz⛤

[bit-of-a-witch]

Thank you! 😊♥️

youre very welcome!

[bit-of-a-witch]

hi how are you? Hope you are doing well!

could I have a reading from you?

I would like to know what J.A.R.B is feeling and thinking about me right now after everything that has happened between us? Thank you! my initials are A.T.G.A

Hope you have a really nice day 💗

hello! im doing alright, thank you.

quick disclaimer, this is only as best i can tell, so it may not be completely accurate, its just what i can figure out

J.A.R.B feels as though they've won something with you. They feel like you're of kind of a dream come true. But unfortunately, they also feel devastated about something that's happened between the two of you.

hopefully this helps some, merry meet!